DIY Solar Hot Water
Install it Yourself

Solar Water Heater Cost

I assume you are reading this because the idea of installing a diy solar hot water system already crossed your mind. A solar hot water heater is a good way to invest money in your home. For $1500 to $3,500 you can get a turn key system. Installing it yourself saves you money and it is a fun. energy tax credits saves you at least 30% of the gross expense

The benefits of the Solar Powered Water Heater

• A solar water heater provides your family with abundant supply of hot water
• With what you save on fuel (or electricity) and with the available tax credits the investment on a solar water heater can be paid back within 2-3 years
• You contribute to better environmental conditions on this planet

Choosing the Right Type of Solar Water Heating System

Start by choosing the right type of for where you live, bellow is a table that summarizes the options:

Size correctly the diy Solar Hot Water Heater

Your next step is to decide what is the right size of the system

Installing the System

After you have chosen the right size elements, your next step is to see how you are going to install the diy solar hot water system. You need to take into account the following:

• Is it possible to install the collector facing South and inclined to the horizon? (South-East or even East can be good enough if the region is sunny)
• Trees are not shading the place you plan to install the system
• On slant roofs install the collector parallel to the roof and close to it
• On flat top roof you need a construction to hold the collector tilted
• If the temperatures are always above the freezing point, try to install the collector bellow the tank to save the need for a pump
• If roof installation is not possible, you may consider installing the system in the garden (in a non shaded area)
• Take into account that for the tank and for the collector you might need a simple lifting mechanism to elevate them to the roof level

Get a second opinion from a certified Solar Contractor

Invite a certified solar contractor to see your site and give you a technical propsal and a price proposal; The proposal can serve you as a baseline for comparison. You may also decide to ask the contractor to do a turn key job if the price is right (you can deduct from the contractor proposal what is the installation cost, and does the diy solar hot water idea still worth the saving; in some countries, like the UK the saving might be substantial)

Shopping the Solar kit

Find a good solar store to buy an entire diy solar water heater kit. A good store will provide you with assistance and guidance before you buy and a reliable after sale support

Unless you have decided to go on a turn key job, go ahead, purchase the DIY Solar Hot Water Heater kit and Build it Yourself.